208 



whether it be for trolling or fly-fishing, and dark 

 clouds occasionally darkened with their shadow the 

 face of the water. With exhilarating freedom, deep 

 I dipped my paddle, pushing for the rocky end, 

 waiting till I had crossed the centre of the lake be- 

 fore I commenced to fish ; for, as a rule, unless there 

 should happen to be a reef, seldom any fish will be 

 taken far from the margin. When alone in a canoe 

 one line will be found as much as can be conveni- 

 ently attended to, for the navigation of your craft 

 requires both hands. Getting under good headway, 

 I soon had twenty-five to thirty yards of liiip astei'n, 

 with a few inches of red cloth for lure, which proved 

 so attractive that I almost immediately had a break, 

 and in a moment or two afterward a fish hoiked. 

 Of all plucky, determined fish, to Black Bass I 

 give the palm, they are so thoroughly reckless in 

 their efforts to escape, — first springing from the 

 water, then possibly coming at you like a cricket- 

 ball, giving you often more than you can do to get the 

 line out of their way, — next dashing to the right or 

 left, and only succumbing when exhausted nature 

 refuses to do more. For two or three hours such 

 was the sport which continued with never over a few 

 minutes' cessation. 



